Inglis to make call on positional switch, comeback date

GREG Inglis has revealed he's been coaching Alex Johnston to replace him at fullback but won't rule out a return to the No.1 when he makes his long-awaited return from injury.

The South Sydney star is nearing his return to the field but will have the final say on not only when he returns but where he plays this season.

Sidelined since March last year after suffering an ACL injury in the opening round, Inglis and new coach Anthony Seibold have decided the 31-year-old can take as long as he needs to regain the confidence in his knee before taking the field.

"Seibs has left it (to me). He wants me to play but he's more about making sure the person's right first before the footballer," Inglis said. "That's what I love about Seibs."

Greg Inglis has been working with Alex Johnston on fullback play.

The Rabbitohs kick off their season against the Warriors on March 10 but at this stage Inglis is unlikely to be there.

Four weeks out from the new season Inglis has only just resumed a full training load.

Confined to the gym and the sidelines for much of the pre-season, Inglis is finally back on the field on a permanent basis.

"I finished my first full week of training last week," Inglis said.

"It's pretty exciting because throughout the pre-season I've usually been training one day on and a couple of days off.

"Last week was my first full week finishing training. Backing up training is really rewarding because I know I'm getting closer. The confidence is building back up."

Throughout the off-season, much has been speculated about where Inglis will play once he returns.

For now, Inglis is likely to line up at left centre but whether that's in the first, second or third round remains unclear.

Anthony Seibold has given Greg Inglis control of his comeback.

"Each and every day I want to continue to keep pushing. I'll keep pushing for round one but when it comes it comes," Inglis said.

"Whether I play Charity Shield, round one or round four, there's no time frame on it."

In a bid to have Inglis return to his terrorising best, coach Seibold will let the man known as 'GI' make the call on if and when he wants to reclaim the No.1.

In the meantime, Inglis has been grooming Johnston to take his place.

Johnston will have first crack at fullback after exclusively training in the role with Inglis tutoring him while injured.

"Pretty much the whole pre-season with his injury, he was standing behind and watching what I would do and would tip me up on the run," Johnston said of Inglis.

"A few video sessions as well.

"A lot of it is defensively being in the right position. Getting numbers right and when to put what where.

Johnston and Inglis have a close relationship at the Rabbitohs.

"In attack, the shapes out the back and how deep I am and getting my passing options right."

This role is one Johnston has played before but struggled for consistency in for much of his career.

Having worn the No.1 to finish last season, Johnston finished the tail end of 2017 in strong fashion.

Along with new recruit from Melbourne, Jesse Arthars, Johnson has been cutting up video with Inglis as part of his study.

Whether the mentor takes the duo aside at training or holds them back for extras, Inglis is enjoying the responsibility of mentoring the custodians.

"As the older and more experienced players, we need to help the young guys coming through," Inglis said.

"I love having AJ out the back. He's obviously quick and very smart and the more I can teach him about what to look out for in the fullback role, the more better off we're going to be as a team."